The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Commonwealth State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation
The Commonwealth State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation was established by Commonwealth,
State and Territory Industry Ministers in February 2000. With a targeted and strategic approach to innovation issues,
the Council improves the effectiveness, integration and coordination of the national innovation system.
The Council comprises senior representatives of each Commonwealth, state and territory industry department,
state chief scientists and members of state and territory innovation councils or their equivalent. The Australian
Chief Scientist is also a member. Meetings are held twice a year.
Two meetings were held in 2005-06, hosted by Tasmania and Queensland. Issues considered included:
• industry, small to medium-sized enterprises, research linkages and nanotechnology;
• innovation measurement and statistics;
• the Productivity Commission’s Review of public sector support for science and innovation;
• innovation research and policy capabilities in Australia and New Zealand; and
• intellectual property and its commercialisation.
New Zealand joined the council as a full member in June 2006.
Chief Scientist
Dr Jim Peacock AC was appointed Australia’s Chief Scientist in March 2006.
Dr Peacock is Executive Officer of PMSEIC and Chair of the Council’s non-ministerial standing
committee. Dr Peacock was also Chair of the Research Quality Framework Development
Advisory Group and the National Research Priorities Standing Committee.
Dr Peacock’s ex-officio role involves participation in the:
• National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy Committee;
• Cooperative Research Centres Committee;
• Coordination Committee on Science and Technology;
• Science Prizes Committee;
• Publicly Funded Research Agencies Committee; and
• Commonwealth State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation.
Since his appointment in March 2006, Dr Peacock has met with the Prime Minister and Ministers and departmental
secretaries with portfolio responsibilities relating to science and innovation. He has also held meetings with
ambassadors, industry groups, scientific bodies, research agencies, peak bodies, universities, schools and individuals
providing a focus on building research excellence, collaboration and networking.
The position of Chief Scientist continues to be of great importance. The Australian Government looks to the
Chief Scientist for advice that is current and covers the full spectrum of science, technology and innovation
including goals and priorities for national investment.
More information about the Chief Scientist can be found at: www.dest.gov.au/chiefscientist
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